How to Take Care of Yourself as a Woman: 19 Ways to Power Yourself

When it comes to learning how to take care of yourself as a woman, there is quite a bit you can do to become the best version of yourself.

Women are often taught how to care for children and men, but when do you learn how to take care of yourself as a woman? NOW!

Taking care of yourself as a woman comes in many forms. From pampering to standing up for yourself and more. There are endless ways to care for yourself as a woman and become the best you that you can be.

What does it mean to take care of yourself as a woman?

Everyone needs to know how to care for themselves. We should know how to feed ourselves, clean, bathe; the basics. But as a woman, there is so much that goes into it. Yes, that can mean makeup, skincare, and hair styling, but there is more to it than that.

Taking care of yourself isn’t just surviving or looking good while doing it. When it comes to understanding how to take care of yourself as a woman, it is all about how you feel. [Read: Atypical secrets to owning your beautiful you!]

How to take care of yourself as a woman

There are many ways to take care of yourself as a woman that goes far beyond this list you’re about to read, but these are the things that have helped me from my teen years and far into womanhood. Hopefully, they’ll help you too.

These small tasks, relaxation techniques, and more will leave you feeling good, looking good, and being happier overall. The better you take care of you, the better everyone is.

#1 Sleep. Yes, this is part of human survival, but seriously, it is an important part of self care. We need a certain amount of sleep to function at our best ability. And staying on Instagram until two am and then waking up at six am to catch the train does not create a sustainable sleeping pattern.

I know how hard it is to get to bed the same time every single night; I rarely do it. But I try to make it at least within an hour or two every night so that I wake up refreshed rather than exhausted. I use lavender oil in a diffuser to help me relax and make sure my bedroom is as dark as possible so nothing wakes me. [Read: 20 habits of incredibly happy people]

#2 Drink water. This is another life necessity, but it does more than keep your hydrated. Not only does drinking a decent amount of water every day keep your skin clear and glowing, but it helps you function better. Whenever you feel thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated. So mostly you are not drinking enough.

Ever since I started drinking more water daily I feel lighter, I have more energy, and just feel healthier overall.

#3 Make time for hobbies. I know you are busy. We all are. There is always something to do: go grocery shopping, do laundry, pay bills, etc. But make sure you are carving out some time for the things you love to do.

Reading, painting, cooking, whatever it may be, don’t put it on the back burner. This is something you enjoy doing, therefore it makes you happy. Self-care is about more than health, it is about your overall wellbeing. So do everything you can do to enjoy every minute. [Read: 8 daily habits to begin that will change your life]

#4 Make time for nothing. This may sound odd. Who wants to do nothing? Well, that is the whole point. Do you ever find yourself just sitting on your bed after a shower and before you know it, an hour went by and you have done nothing but sit and stare into space?

Well, your body needed that break from life. If you don’t just do nothing sometimes, you will stretch yourself too thin and be exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. Schedule time where you have nothing to do, and just do that.

#5 Go outside. You probably go outside every day, right? You walk to your car, you run errands, you take out the trash, but that does not count. We put up with so much crap each and every day. From misogyny to sexism and more, we deserve to breathe in some fresh air.

So head outside. Take a walk, eat lunch in the park, or have your morning coffee outside instead of sitting at the kitchen table scrolling through your phone. Being outside helps us slow down and enjoy nature. We need a step back from everything sometimes. [Read: 17 everyday ways to welcome positive energy into your life]

#6 Speak up. Self-care is not always about vacationing from the stresses of everyday life. That is only part of it. The other part is putting your foot down. If you truly want to know how to take care of yourself as a woman, when something looks or feels wrong, say something.

For too long, women have stayed quiet due to men’s power of us. Well, not anymore. If your boss treats or pays you differently than your male coworkers, say something. You are caring for yourself by believing you deserve better.

#7 Help out. The reason self-care gets a bad rep for being selfish is because people think it is all about you when in reality we care for ourselves so we are at our best or everyone else in our lives.

I noticed that when I go out of my way to help someone cross the street, hold the door open, or even just making sure I say please and thank you, it can improve how others perceive you and how you see yourself. Being polite and courteous to others makes you feel better. [Read: How to become a good citizen of the world]

#8 Be bold. For too long, women have been told we are bitchy if we are assertive. To put that idea to bed, we have to be sure that we continue to make a name for ourselves and get the respect we deserve.

Don’t let a man walk all over you at work or in a relationship. Believe in yourself and illustrate self-care by fighting for you.

#9 Talk to your doctor. As a matter of fact, just go to the doctor. Something women so often overlook is our physical health. Maybe we pick up cold medicine in winter and pop some vitamin C at the first sign of a runny nose, but making sure you are keeping up with your yearly appointments is vital.

If something feels off down there, don’t overlook it, assume it is normal, take care of it yourself, or Google it. Instead, make an appointment and talk to your doctor. Stay on top of your health from head to toe and be 100% honest with your doctor. Trust me, I know how awkward it is, but sharing everything you can think of can make all the difference.

#10 Wash your hair. We all love the miracle invention that is dry shampoo, but nothing makes you feel better than freshly washed hair. Whenever I’m feeling blah and just not confident, I wash my hair. There is no better feeling than clean shiny hair that is free from grease and build up.

Never underestimate the power of a shower.

#11 Get dressed up. Even if it is for no reason at all. It is so nice to put makeup on, style your hair, and try on your best outfit. Whether you have a hot date, a night with the girls, or are just heading to Target, get dressed up.

#12 Sing and dance like no one is watching. Whether you do it in the shower, while you get ready for work, or in the car belting out Adele at the top of your lungs is such a release of stress and tension. [Read: What makes you happy might surprise you]

#13 Indulge. Whether that be in food or reality TV, sometimes you need to veg out. We stick to diets, routines, workouts, and act like that is the only way, but sometimes we need to indulge. As I said, self-care is about happiness.

If a piece of chocolate cake, a pizza, and The Bachelor make you happy, go all in.

#14 Splurge once in a while. Saving money is important. We should be thinking about our futures and IRAs and taxes, but sometimes we deserve a little gift to us from us. Treat yourself.

#15 Ignore everyone. Low self-esteem can get in the way of even the best self-care routine. And learning to love yourself doesn’t happen overnight, but learning to ignore everyone else can.

And don’t only stop worrying about what others think of you, but take some time away from social media, your phone, and everyone. Being 100% alone for a bit is like taking a deep breath and can feel so freeing. [Read: Your guide to not giving a fuck and having more laughs]

#16 Put your health and mental health first. Anxiety and depression affect us all, even in the tiniest ways. So on top of your physical health, mental health is just as important, if not more so.

If you truly want to understand how to take care of yourself as a woman, take a mental health day, go to therapy, vent to a friend. Do whatever you have to do. No one should make you feel ashamed for having normal feelings and needing a break.

#17 Help out other women. As women, we can constantly feel like we are catching up. We do just as much if not more than men, but always seem to come second. Well, you are not alone in that frustration.

Learning how to take care of yourself as a woman includes taking care of other women. Help your coworkers, reach out to your girlfriends, and perk each other up. Women do their best together.

#18 Let things go. The same way you should stand up for yourself when something is wrong, learn how to let go when something is either beyond your control or not worth your energy. You can get upset when someone cuts you off and that can sit with you and fester all day, ultimately putting you in a crappy mood.

#19 Keep going. As Dory once very wisely said, “Just keep swimming.” Being women, we do not have some of the luxuries that men have. Although we deserve breaks to take time for ourselves, sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is power through.